Travel with Pets - 14.5 lb dog in cabin NYC-Paris?

Hi everyone,

I just discovered this forum and have been working my way back through the prior threads. I thought I'd post my specific question in case anyone else travels this same scenario.

My wife and I have traveled to Paris two to three times a year with a small dog for 20 years. The dog has always traveled in cabin. Our current dog has put on weight and now comes in at 14 1/2 pounds -- just above most airline in-cabin weights. She's a small dog, a Brussels Griffon, and she easily fits in the soft kennel. She's just kind of solid. Our last trip we managed to fly her in cabin but there was a bit of drama at the check-in due to her weight. My wife bought an Air France ticket that turned out to be run by Delta, and they quoted a different weight rule. Subsequently, my wife is having problems finding any airline that allows 14.5 lb dogs to fly.

Rather than place the dog in the hold, which we don't want to do, we can explore other options -- an airline with a stopover, perhaps, if there's one that allows a slightly heavier dog. Or we could fly elsewhere in Europe and take a train in, again, if there's a more flexible carrier than the ones that currently fly to Paris. Does anyone have any advice?

Since when does DL have a weight rule for carryon pets? All they say is that the pet must fit comfortably in the bag.

Pets As Carry On

Your pet can travel with you in the cabin for a one-way fee of 125 USD/CAD* (to be collected at check-in) for travel within U.S./Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico (200 USD/CAD/EUR* for travel outside the U.S., excluding Brazil where the fee is 75 USD/CAD/EUR*).

Pets permitted in the cabin include dogs, cats, and household birds. The following restrictions apply:

* Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you. Maximum carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by your flight. You must contact Delta Reservations to determine the appropriate kennel size.
* Your pet must remain inside the kennel (with door secured) while in a Delta boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), a Delta airport lounge, and while onboard the aircraft.
* Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
* You may not carry on more than one pet.
* Your pet in-cabin counts as one piece of carry-on baggage.
* If you're traveling to Hawaii, your pet won't be able to go with you in the cabin, and other restrictions may apply. See Pets to Hawaii for more information.
* *CAD amount will be charged exit Canada, and EUR amount will be charged exit Europe. Fees established by the contract of carriage in effect at the time of ticket issuance will apply.

Exception: Two pets of the same type may be allowed in one kennel, for example two dogs or two cats. They must be small enough to fit in one kennel provided they are compatible and must be of the same species and size, and they must meet the requirements of acceptance. They will be charged as one pet.

Also, Delta limits the number of pets per flight, but only one per passenger, to:
Class Number of Pets Allowed
First Class 2
BusinessElite® 2
Main Cabin 4


Pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call Delta in advance at 800-221-1212 to arrange to bring your pet on board.

Thanks for your reply.

Our problem that prompted my post was because of Delta. We bought a Delta ticket and were told when we arrived at the airport that flights to France were governed by the rules of Air France, their partner airline. And Air France now has the weight rule. Maybe we haven't gone up high enough in the Delta chain, but this has been what's been subsequently told to us as well. We'll keep investigating.

Thanks for your reply.

Our problem that prompted my post was because of Delta. We bought a Delta ticket and were told when we arrived at the airport that flights to France were governed by the rules of Air France, their partner airline. And Air France now has the weight rule. Maybe we haven't gone up high enough in the Delta chain, but this has been what's been subsequently told to us as well. We'll keep investigating.

If you had a DL codeshare ticket flying on AF metal I believe you have a valid argument. You may also want to check out the Skyteam website and see if there is anything stated there regarding these rules when on codeshare ticket.

Thanks, appreciate it. I'll give it a try.

Oh, and I realize I made a mistake in the headline here. Our dog is 13.6 lbs.